Dec 22, 2014 - Module - Matching » Blob Inspection The Blob Inspection module is meant to be used with verification systems that require comparing new objects with a known model or template object. This is a typical function in production line systems that need to perform visual quality checks on products prior to shipping. This includes product text/labels/graphics/color/etc. which can all be visually checked and compared with ideal samples to identify any rejections. Depending on the product, different features can be used to highlight relevant aspects while ignoring others.

Dec 18, 2014 - Module - Control » Camera » Matrix-Vision BlueFox The Matrix-Vision BlueFox module provides a direct interface to the Matrix-Vision BlueFox series of USB cameras. While the camera is also accessible over a DirectShow interface the module more readily exposes all the options of the camera to allow for finer control via RoboRealm variables.

Oct 3, 2014 - Module - Control » Camera » LeapMotion_Controller The LeapMotion Controller module provides an interface into the LeapMotion Controller device such that values generated by the device can be utilized within RoboRealm. The Controller produces a significant amount of information about hands and fingers including orientation and position. These values can be assigned to RoboRealm variables and reacted upon in the same manner as a Joystick, Mouse, etc.

Oct 2, 2014 - Module - Loading/Saving » SQL_Interface The SQL Interface module provides access from RoboRealm into an ODBC compatible SQL database. Using the provided interface you can execute statements against an ODBC database to insert RoboRealm variables into SQL tables and read back information from the database into RoboRealm.

Sept 30, 2014 - Module - Transform » Auto_Image_Calibration The Automatic Image Calibration module provides an easy way to quickly calibrate an image view based on a rectangle calibration grid. The module expects a rectangular checkered grid of any size to be visible in the image. Once the grid is detected the module will warp the current image such that the grid will become square within the image. Namely, each checker box will be the same number of pixels regardless of rotation from the camera imaging plane. This ensures that objects within the calibration plane will be the same relative size.

Sept 29, 2014 - Module - Point Features » Spot_Detector The Spot Detector module provides several configuration options for detecting spots/dots within an image. Unlike the corner detector modules, the Spot Detector module will identify the middle of a spot instead of its edges. The provided parameters allow you to specify what types of spots to identify aswell as how large and strong the spots need to be with respect to the background in order to be identified.

Sept 9, 2014 - Module - Control » Lidar » RoboPeak_RPLidar The RoboPeak RPLidar module provides an interface to the RPLidar device. The RPLidar is a low cost lidar sensor suitable for indoor robotic SLAM application. It provides 360 degree scan field, 5.5hz rotating frequency with guaranteed 6 meter ranger distance. RPLidar is the ideal sensor in cost sensitive areas like consumer robotics and hardware hobbyists.

Aug 25, 2014 - Module - Control » Camera » GenICam GenICam is a standard of the European Machine Vision Association (EMVA) that provides a generic way of accessing industrial cameras such as GigE compliant cameras. The module will connect directly to the camera over an ethernet connection and assumes that the genicam runtime is installed which provides functionality to interpret the camera's configurations. The camera's native drivers need not be installed as communication functions over ethernet.

Feb 5, 2014 - Module - Control » Robots » ArcBotics Sparki Fresh from a very successful Kickstarter Campaign the ArcBotics Sparki robot is now available. Along with this release a new module has been added to RoboRealm to provide direct interface to this very capable robot. Sparki has a gripper, a 3 axis accelerometer, 3 axis magnetometer, sweeping sonar, an LCD, buzzer, line sensors, light sensors and the ability to pick up signals from an IR remote (included). With an optional bluetooth connection, you can now remotely control Sparki from within RoboRealm and visualize how the sensors are functioning and dynamically change Sparki's behavior while the robot is running. Advanced sensors like cameras offboard the robot can now be made to coordinate multiple Sparki robots in a swarm type mentality.

Feb 3, 2014 - Module - Matching » OCR The OCR (Optical Character Recognition) module provides a way to convert text represented within an image into ascii text. Once converted it becomes easier to interpret an image by analyzing and processing digital text instead of pixels.

Nov 30, 2013 - Interface - Options » ser2net With the advent of small but power microcontrollers like the Raspberry PI, BeagleBone Black, PCduino and routers like the TP-Link WR703 the ability to control peripheral devices attached to these controllers becomes increasingly possible. With the ability to run applications like ser2net (serial to network) that translates a network connection into a serial connection, we can now control more devices remotely from a more traditional and powerful PC such that the devices appear as if connected to the PC. This allows the same protocols to be used to access a wide variety of serial devices from a remote controller. In our tests, using the TP-Link WR703 one can stream video at 30fps and send control signals back to the device via the new ser2net configuration now within RoboRealm. By configuring a hostname and port, all serial connections can now be done over a network connection. This greatly expands the mobility of devices that RoboRealm can utilize.

Nov 5, 2013 - Modules - Matching » Ellipses Detecting ellipses can be thought of detecting circles but with a degree of rotation into the viewing plane. The Ellipse module provides detection of ellipses within an edge detected image. This can be useful in detection circles placed on the floor that appear as ellipses to a camera.

Sept 23, 2013 - Modules - Control » Cameras » OpenNI2 The OpenNI module provides an interface to the Asus Xtion Pro, Microsoft Kinect and other 3D sensors based on the OpenNI framework. These sensors are remarkably useful for robotics and are great depth sensors at reasonable prices. The OpenNI framework (now in its 2.0 version) provides a standardized interface into these devices that RoboRealm can now access and post processing using its other modules.This is invaluable for use in obstacle avoidance and navigation.

Aug 10, 2013 - Module - Other » Call Tab Along with the introduction of tabs is the Call Tab module. This module will transfer execution from one tab to another as if a function where called. This helps to group processing modules into units that can be called instead of being included directly in a single pipeline. Using tabs in this way helps to clarify and simplify pipelines.

Aug 6, 2013 - Interface - Tabs - Tabs have been added to the main RoboRealm interface. These tabs allow for multiple robofiles to be loaded and can be viewed by switching the tabs. Furthermore, this allows you to functionally separate processing routines into different tabs and call those tabs like functions. This ensures that longer pipelines can be broken into logical units.

Aug 6, 2013 - Module - Control » Microcontrollers » Conrad Mini-Station The Conrad Mini-Station module provides an interface from RoboRealm to the Mini-Station over a serial connection. The Mini-Station (distributed by Conrad) provides high current relays, digital in and out and analog to digital capabilities. The housing is extremely compact and is also dust and splash-proof till IP66, as such, it can be used in rough conditions. The Mini-Station can be programmed in Basic, Compact-C and Assembler.

Aug 6, 2013 - Module - Control » Motors » RoboteQ Motor Control The RoboteQ Motor Controller module provides an interface from RoboRealm to the RoboteQ Motor Controllers. The RoboteQ line of Motor Controllers feature a high-performance microcomputer and quadrature encoder inputs to perform advanced motion control algorithms. Additionally, digital out, digital in and analog in are provided on most boards. This module provides an interface to configure the appropriate communication port and speed to the controller and allows you to view and modify settings by using the GUI based sliders and text editing areas.

Aug 6, 2013 - Module - Control » Interface Boards » USBmicro U4X1 The U421 or U401 is a USB solution that is pre-built, pre-programmed, and pre-tested and will get you interfacing your PC to various devices. These are great replacements for the now defunct Parallel Port. The boards offer up to 16 DIO lines that can be set as input or output at 5V.

Jul 22, 2013 - Module - Control » Motors » Phidgets Stepper The Phidgets Stepper module allows you to interface RoboRealm to the Phidgets Stepper Controller (1062 and 1063) made by Phidgets. Both Stepper controllers are USB based and can control stepper motors independently for position, velocity and acceleration. The 1063 version also has 4 digital inputs.

Jul 17, 2013 - Module - Control » Motors » BasicMicro RoboClaw The BasicMicro_RoboClaw provides an interface from RoboRealm to the RoboClaw distributed by ION Motion Control. The RoboClaw accepts multiple types of inputs (including PWM) but the module is created to interface via a serial interface in order to take advantage of the quadrature encoder inputs that the board supports.

Jul 10, 2013 - Module - Control » Robots » Brookstone Rover 1 The BrookStone Rover module provides an interface to the BrookStone Rover. The Rover is a inexpensive mobile camera that is targeted towards telepresense functions but also makes a decent robot when combined with a vision system. As the robot transmits images much like an IP Camera does (in fact the internals are partially based on an IP Camera) the processing of images needs to happen off the robot.

Apr 27, 2013 - Competition - EvilTurtle Wins RoboMagellan at RoboGames Mt. SAC Robotics Team placed first in RoboMagellan with their "Evil Turtle" robot. Evil Turtle runs RoboRealm on-board. The Evil Turtle was the only robot this year that was able to reach the Finish Cone.

Apr 15, 2013 - Module - Control » Robots » XYZbot Fritz The XYZbot_Fritz module provides an interface to the successfully funded Fritz robotic puppet that is still in an active Kickstarter campaign. There are 13 servos in the advanced version of Fritz that are driven by an Arudino microcontroller. This module will communicate with the Arduino microcontroller inside Fritz to position each of those servos based on variables within RoboRealm. Using this interface you can move Fritz based on visual stimuli such as colored objects, fiducials, movements, etc. If the campaign reaches $35K, everyone that pledges for at least the basic version of the robotic head will receive a FREE copy of RoboRealm.

Feb 1, 2013 - Module - Matching » Target Localization The Target Localization module provides detection of a specified target to calculate the position of the camera/robot based on the orientation and size of the target. As long as the target is in view this module can provide similar results to a GPS module but indoors.

Nov 13, 2012 - Module - Matching » Face Detection The face detection module is used to detect the presense of faces within an image.

Sept 11, 2012 - Module - Control » Robots » cmRobot Element The cmRobot_Element module provides an interface from RoboRealm to the cmRobot Element robot controller. The module provides an interface to configure the appropriate communication port and speed to the controller and allows you to view and modify settings by using the GUI based sliders and text editing areas.

July 11, 2012 - Module - Control » Other » State Machine The State Machine (or Finite State Machine) module provides an easy way to define a set of states and transitions between those states that is often needed in robotic applications. The module defines a state as a set of variables that contain specific values. As RoboRealm communicates between modules using variables a state can define a specific action (like moving a robot forward). Transitions between those states are defined as conditional statements that check for specific values of other variables (such as the distance to an object from an IR sensor) in order to change the current state of the module.

July 5, 2012 - Module - Control » Cameras » Playstation Eye The Code Laboratories Playstation Eye module provides an interface to the Playstation Eye Camera using the Code Laboratories Eye driver. The CL Drivers provide numerous interface components to the Playstation Cameras including the ability to access more than one camera at a time. This provides the ability to utilize these cameras for stereo purposes and for high speed fps image capture.

January 15, 2012 - Competition - Tutorial » Rebound Rumble Tutorials In the spirit of inspiring young people to be science and technology leaders, RoboRealm is actively supporting this year's Rebound Rumble FIRST challenge. With the allowance of laptop/netbooks to be placed on the robot, RoboRealm has now become a viable vision platform for the Hybrid (Autonomous) period and human controlled parts of the competition (Augmented Driving). We are happy to announce that this support comes with free copies of RoboRealm for any team that chooses to use RoboRealm in some way for the competition. To apply for this donation please Contact us and send us your team number, location and website URL. Good luck at the competition!

December 21, 2011 - Module - Control » Robots » Xaxxon Oculus The Oculus module provides a way to interface RoboRealm with the Xaxxon Oculus robot. The Oculus platform instantly converts a small laptop into a telerobotic, remotely operated vehicle. The platform allows the robot to also be converted into an Autonomous System by running applications on the netbook. Using the onboard camera provided in most netbooks today, you can use the Oculus robot as an inexpensive vision based robot that provides a familiar keyboard, touchpad, and monitor (i.e. the netbook) to work with. You can pre-order and/or help out the creator of the Oculus robot by contributing to KickStarter.

December 12, 2011 - Price Alert - Warning, as of Jan 1st, 2012 RoboRealm's price will be changing. Pricing for personal and academic use will be lowered but pricing for commercial use will be increased. As we enter our fourth year in selling our machine vision robotic application we are happy to now be in a position that allows us to make RoboRealm even more accessible to hobbyists and academics. Through the continued enthusiasm of RoboRealm from all domains of robotics and computing we look forward to the new challenges that 2012 will bring and will continue to provide new modules that allow you to easily utilize some of the most powerful imaging techniques, device interfaces, and algorithm explorations.

August 9, 2011 - Module - Plugins » Digital Video Recorder The DVR module is another 3rd party plugin from EDV that is distributed along with RoboRealm. This module adds a digital video recorder to RoboRealm that can be used either as a Video Surveillance System or a debugging tool that saves all variable values while other modules are running.

July 31, 2011 - Tutorial - Tutorial » Hand Gestures This tutorial describes one way to use RoboRealm to recognize hand gestures from an overhead webcam looking down at a single hand over a solid background.

July 24, 2011 - Tutorial - Tutorial » Counting Dice This tutorial shows how to use a webcam and RoboRealm to count the value of dice that are placed in front of a camera.

June 6, 2011 - Module - Control » Robots » Finch Robot The Finch Robot module provides an interface to the BirdBrain Technologies Finch Robot from RoboRealm. This $99 dollar robot has 2 servo motors, 2 photoresistors (light sensors), 2 IR distance sensors, a thermister, buzzer, 3 axis accelerometer and a multi-colored LED. This module provides access to all the robot's features from a GUI and allows you to combine them with the additional capabilities of a camera.

May 25, 2011 - Module - Matching » Origin Probe The Origin Probe module allows you to specify a reference position that can be used in other probe modules to specify relative placement based on the origin. This is useful if you cannot use long measurement probes with your object due to size constraints but can use long probes to create a reference position. This enables the system to compensate for large movements without compromising measurement positioning.

May 21, 2011 - Module - Variables » Differential Drive The Differential Drive module provides a quick and easy way to convert from a forward/backward and left/right input into a forward/backward left and right wheel. This is often needed when mapping an input device like a joystick into a differential drive robot.

May 19, 2011 - Module - Control » Cameras » XIMEA Camera The XIMEA Camera module provides access to the XIMEA line of cameras that use the M3API protocol. XIMEA produces a range of high quality cameras for use in industrial machine vision applications. One of their latest cameras, the CURRERA RL13, is innovating the way smart cameras are created by combining high end optics with an embedded PC capable of running Microsft Windows all in a small compact package. This environment makes a great host for the RoboRealm application when industrial solutions are desired.

May 18, 2011 - Module - Control » Cameras » Foscam Internet Camera The Foscam Internet Camera module provides access to the Foscam cameras that stream video over the internet. Most of the Foscam units provide pan & tilt capabilities and night vision at a reasonable price.

Feb 02, 2011 - Modules - Control » Servos » Robotis Dynamixel The Robotis Dynamixel module provides an easy to use GUI interface to the RoadNarrows Graboid Series D gripper. The Graboid is an ideal solution for those looking for a simple, low-cost gripper with force feedback for their robotic application. Built around 2 Robotis Dynamixel AX-12A Actuators, the gripper offers two degrees of freedom, wrist up/down, and gripper open/close.

Jan 22, 2011 - Modules - Control » Other » MCU Communicator RoboRealm provides access to many microprocessors through dedicated modules which provide interfaces to most of the functionality available in the MCU. However, there are times when a simple transmission of a variable's value to an MCU would be preferred over a dedicated module. In this scenario, a value is sent from RoboRealm to an MCU which is able to execute on that value within the processing capabilities of the MCU. This allows for programs to be written on the MCU that may provide better reaction time to sensed events than passing those events back to the PC. The MCU Communicator module provides a generic mailbox module to facilitate this communication.

Jan 18, 2011 - Modules - Control » Other » Pololu Orangutan SVP The Pololu Orangutan SVP is an ideal controller for a mid to small sized robot. It provides many of the capabilities one would want on a robot including motors controllers, digital input and output, analog input, 2 line LCD screen and servo (PWM) control. All that functionality also comes at a very reasonable price! The SVP module provides an easy way to interface from your PC to this controller from RoboRealm.

Jan 17, 2011 - Modules - Matching » Object Recognition The Object Recognition module provides a way to identify specific trained objects within the current image. Once the module is trained with sample template images it will identify those objects within the current image depending on the filtered parameters of confidence, size, rotation, etc. Templates are saved as regular JPG images that can be moved, edited and changed using any paint program. Several object matching techniques are provided as each has its advantages within different environments.

Jan 17, 2011 - Modules - Control » Other » Sparkfun Mega To complement the Sparkfun Arduino, RoboRealm now includes a module specifically for the Arduino Mega which adds more servos, more digital and more analog pins for your projects! If you haven't heard about the Arduino boards be sure to check them out for your next robotic projects.

Jan 17, 2011 - Modules - Control » Other » Sparkfun SerIO If you are not quite up to speed with the Arduino line of products but want to scale into them be sure to have a look at the Sparkfun SerIO board which provides a bunch of PWM, Digital and Analog lines run by a pre-programmed Arduino behind the scenes. Its a quick and easy way to take advantage of the Arduino line of products while still having the ability to scale to a regular Arduino with your own custom programming if needed.

Nov 16, 2010 - Modules - Control » Cameras » Microsoft Kinect The Microsoft Kinect module provides an interface to the Microsoft Kinect XBOX 360 sensor. The sensor is remarkably useful for robotics and is a great depth sensor at a reasonable price. The main feature of the Kinect is that it provides a 640x480 depth map in realtime (30 fps) that indicates which objects are near versus far in the given scene. This is invaluable for use in obstacle avoidance and navigation. In addition to the depth sensor the Kinect also provides a traditional 640x480 RGB image, a 3 axis accelerometer, the ability to tilt its head and a nifty LED that you can even change the colors on!

Sept 27, 2010 - Modules - Transforms » Align Image The Align Image module provides a way to align two images. The module will look for characteristic properties between two images in an effort to determine how they overlap. It will determine the translation (X,Y) movement, the Z plane rotation or orientation and the scale changes between the two images. This module was developed to allow for comparison between two images that may be somewhat misaligned such as in a security setting to determine abandoned or removed objects. It also incorporates image differencing in order to visually see differences between the two images.

August 3, 2010 - Modules - Control » Other » Trossen Robot Turret The Trossen Robot Turret module provides an interface to the Desktop MosquitIO and other Pan/Tilt system created and sold by Trossen Robotics. The robotic turret platform provides a very complete and easy way to integrate pan and tilt functionality into your robotics project. In addition to the Arduino based MosquitIO board providing the servo PWM signals it also has 2 motor controller ports, 3 analog in pins and 5 digital input/output pins. This provides enough control capability for whatever you happen to chose to attach to the top of the pan/tilt system.

July 27, 2010 - Modules - Extensions » CScript Program Joining the ranks of the VBScript and Python pluging modules is the CScript module that uses PicoC interpreter to allow you to use C code to perform simple tasks within RoboRealm. As always, for more power and control you can use any of the Plugin or API architecture to extend RoboRealm using more traditional programming tools.

June 26, 2010 - Modules - Control » Other » Sparkfun Arduino Have a look at the Sparkfun Arduino Duemilanove if you are looking for a servo controller plus digital and analog input/output lines for your next project. Using a generic micro-controller as a part of your robotic project provides some nice flexibility if you need to quickly react to inputs before reporting back to the PC brain. The Sparkun Arduino module provides a quick way to get servo, digital and analog controls in your project and provides a good framework in example Sketch code to customize your system beyond the original use. With 6 servo controls, 6 analog in and 14 digital in/out the Duemilanove can become a valuable and inexpensive part of your project.

June 24, 2010 - Modules - Point Features » Sample Curve The Sample Curve module can be used to detect points in an objects outline that have high curvature. For example, an image of a hand exhibits high curvature at the fingertips and inbetween the fingers. Isolating just the convex points leaves you with just the location of the fingertips.

June 17, 2010 - Modules - Control » Other » Phidgets RFID The Phidgets RFID module provides an interface to the Phidgets RFID tag reader. Using this device any RFID tag placed about 3 inches from the reader will respond with a unique identification number. This number can then be used to localize the robot, detect the presence of specific objects or be used to indicate tasks to perform.

June 17, 2010 - Modules - Other » Phidgets Accelerometer The Phidgets Accelerometer module provides an interface to the Phidgets Accelerometer. Using this module you can read all 3 axis of the Accelerometer by accessing the appropriate variables created by this module. This can be used to determine if your robot is tilted in a way that may flip it over. Accelerometers are also very useful in balancing robots to help them stay on two wheels!

June 12, 2010 - Modules - Extensions » HTTP The Web is the largest repository of information known to humans. With the HTTP module you can now leverage some of that knowledge by sending and receiving information over HTTP (the web's protocol) and utilize that information within your Robotic project. With the HTTP module's powerful tag based extraction language you can automate the extraction of textual information from many websites regardless of if they provide a feed or not. Included in the documentation are examples on how to grab stock quotes, jokes, and the current weather.

Apr 29, 2010 - Modules - Other » GPS Reader The GPS Reader module provides a way to interface RoboRealm to most NMEA GPS devices that can be hooked up to a PC using either a USB or serial connection. GPS devices provide a wealth of information including latitude and longitude that can be used to localize where your robot is, it's heading and where it should go. The GPS Reader module interprets the NMEA text from the GPS device to provide you with a visible interface of the course your robot has taken and allows you to specify waypoints that can be used to create a path.

Apr 29, 2010 - Modules - Other » Hokuyo URG Laser Scanner The Hokuyo URG module provides an interface to the URG laser scanner. This small, compact and speedy scanner is ideal for robots that need obstacle avoidance or navigation using a laser scanner. The scanner is capable of 100 ms scans (10 fps) and can detect objects up to distances of several meters. You can purchase one of these great scanners from stores like RoadNarrows.

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